HELENA (AP) – The majority of public records requests to hit Gov. Brian Schweitzer’s office have come from the political opposition, which is probing his scheduling, staff e-mails and his constituency account. Republicans say they are testing the openness of the Schweitzer administration, which has made a point about being a champion of open and […]

MISSOULA (AP) – General contractor bids for the 2,000-seat east-side expansion of Washington-Grizzly Stadium will be awarded sometime in the next 10 days. Four contractors were initially in the running for the $5.5 million project, but the Utah company Ames, owned by former Grizzly football player and longtime booster Walt Brett, withdrew from the bidding, […]

WHITEFISH After two years of researching, discussing, consulting, drafting and revising, Whitefish is ready to adopt a growth policy. The Whitefish City Council votes tonight on the latest, and perhaps final, draft of the policy, which includes revisions made within the past couple of weeks. The council will also discuss: -Request for a variance from […]

The Kalispell Police and Flathead County Sheriff’s reports for Sunday included the following: 6:32 a.m. A guy went into a gas station off U.S. Highway 2 and asked the clerk how to open the safe and if he wanted to buy drugs from him. Deputies have collected surveillance tapes and will attempt to identify the […]

Good morning and happy Guy Fawkes Night. A Kalispell man died in a vehicle rollover early Sunday morning on U.S. Highway 2. The attorneys of Ronald A. Smith say they are shocked by the Canadian government’s decision to stop working toward his extradition. Smith, of Red Deer, Alberta, is on death row in Montana for […]

Have you ever wished you had free, no consequence, verbal-sucker-punch-power? You know, the opportunity to say what you really think to that skinny white kid walking around the suburban mall dressed in baggy pants sagging around his knees, a white tank top and an array of gold chains? Or a chance to tell your sister […]

WHITEFISH – Kids may be running door to door bagging pounds of miniature sucrose-heavy Halloween Hershey Bars. But adults looking for a chocolate fix head to Copperleaf Chocolat Company. Exquisite hand-made chocolates look like works of art – too good to eat. Almost. The confections don’t overpower with sugar, but linger with light spice or […]

Grab the cell to dial 9-1-1, but no bars. Much of northwest Montana runs outside the wireless grid. For that reason, those who recreate in the backcountry in winter—skiers, snowshoers, snowmobilers–are heading back to class. Winter backcountry emergencies pose tricky dilemmas that increase risk with avalanches, storms, and frigid temperatures. “It’s important to prepare for […]

Whether you call Montana’s fall fireworks Larch or Tamarack may come down to a question of your roots. “The older families here,” says Flathead Valley Community College instructor Bob Beall, “they came from Minnesota and Wisconsin, they brought the name [Tamarack] with them.” On the other hand, Beall says many of the families in Libby […]

HELENA (AP) – Montana’s senior U.S. senator and several conservation groups said Friday they are alarmed anew about prospects for industrial work in southeastern British Columbia, north of Montana’s Glacier National Park. Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., said another mining project that he finds “potentially devastating” is planned at the headwaters of the North Fork Flathead […]

Sixteen men gathered last weekend at the café J.D. Morrell’s in downtown Kalispell to slurp coffee, soda and Red Bull, and compete in the 12th Annual Flathead Chess Tournament. They sat among eight chessboards, many with their head in their hands, staring intensely down at the game pieces. There was little noise beyond a few […]

HELENA (AP) – Canada’s decision to end its long-standing federal policy of seeking clemency for Canadians facing the death penalty in the United States leaves Ronald A. Smith “without a very valuable ally,” his attorney said Friday. Smith, of Red Deer, Alberta, is one of two people on death row in Montana and the only […]

BOZEMAN (AP) – Quarterback Lance Kriesien rushed for three second-half touchdowns Saturday as Northern Arizona rallied to a 29-14 win over Montana State. Montana State (5-4, 3-3 Big Sky) took advantage of two NAU miscues in the second quarter — a penalty and a bad punt — to score on touchdown passes from Jack Rolovich […]

MISSOULA (AP) – Cole Bergquist passed for 305 yards and two touchdowns to Mike Ferriter Saturday and Montana’s defense held Portland State’s offense scoreless in the second half for a 34-31 victory. The teams combined for six second-quarter touchdowns and fourth-ranked Montana (9-0, 6-0 Big Sky) took a 31-24 halftime lead. The Grizzlies went up […]

DILLON (AP) – John Barnett passed for 121 yards and two touchdowns and Marcus Miller kicked three field goals Saturday to lead Carroll College to a 30-16 victory over Montana-Western. No. 2 Carroll (10-0, 9-0 Frontier) led 30-0 at the end of the third quarter before Western (4-6, 4-5) scored on the Saints’ backups. Miller […]